The Birth of the Our Congregation

The Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Thomas was founded by Most.Rev. Thomas Fernando, the then Bishop of Tiruchirapalli Diocese on 11th February in 1978.The Vision and Mission of the founder is to preach the Good news to the poor and the oppressed in the remote rural areas of Tamilnadu, especially in the Diocese of Tiruchirapalli. The sisters were originally called as Catechetical Sisters of St. Thomas.

In the beginning the Congregation was directed and guided by the diocesan priests appointed by the bishop until 1995 when it was committed to the direction and guidance of OFM CAPUCHIN priests during the period of His Excellency Most.Rev. Gabriel Lawrence Sengole, the former Bishop of the Diocese of Tiruchirapalli. It was during his time that the Congregation absorbed the Franciscan spirituality and was renamed as the Franciscan sisters of St.Thomas (FST) and was erected as a religious Congregation under the diocesan right.

In response to the petition of His Excellency Most. Rev. Peter Fernando, the then Apostolic Administrator of Tiruchirapalli  Diocese, the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, by its letter dated September 25, 1999, granted its approval for the Franciscan sisters of St.Thomas as a Religious Institute of Diocesan Right with effect from its inception.

At the request of the late Bishop. Most. Rev. Antony Devotta, the constitution was renewed and duly approved in 2010.

 

PIONEERS (1978 – 1985)

There were only six who joined the Order at the beginning and they became the very first members of the Congregation of the Catechetical Sisters of St. Thomas . Followed by them, Sr.Thana Packia Nirmala and many others sisters came to the congregation.

Rev.Sr. Josephine Celestine Madonna

Rev. Sr. Nambikkai Mary

Rev. Sr. Rose Mary

Rev. Sr. Sahaya Mary

Rev. Sr .Elizabeth Fatima

Rev. Sr. Maria Quaratty Alphonsa

 

 

 VOCATIONS
The Founder himself went about promoting vocations in and out of the state for his incipient Congregation. As expressed in his memories, he visited several schools and colleges and met priests and bishops who could be of much help in securing vocations. New arrival of aspirants began in February 1980 from various parts of the state.

FORMATION
The arrival of new candidates excited our Founder with great hope and he warmly welcomed them and showed his fatherly concern to them and enabled them to grow in grace, faith and wisdom. In June 1979, founder shifted them to their new ‘formation house’ called the Mother house at Fatima Nagar. The first batch of novices did their novitiate in 1980.

THE FIRST CEREMONY OF RECEIVING THE RELIGIOUS DRESS AND FIRST PROFESSION OF RELIGIOUS VOWS

On Thursday, July 3, 1980, at 4:00 pm. the first batch of six novices received their religious dress

a Blue saree edged with three blue bands which was designed by the founder himself after much consultation with the little group and several others. The ceremony was held at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Fatima Nagar and was officiated by our founder. It was a remarkable grand celebration, a day of great joy for our Congregation. The pioneers made their first profession of religious vows on July 3, 1980. According to the opinion of many sisters, the blue dress was changed to saffron dress on 17th May 1991.In the presence of Trichy Bishop Most Rev.Lawrence Gabriel and Vicar General Msgr. P.Antony, the ceremony was conducted and given the saffron color dress.

FIRST SUPERIOR GENERALS

In 1986, our Founder in consultation with the director, Sr. Fatima Mary was appointed as the first Superior General. In 1989, Sr. Mabel Saroja was appointed as  Superior General. In July 1991 again Sr. Fatima Mary was appointed as the Superior General of our congregation.

FINAL COMMITMENT

On November11, 1999 the first group of seventeen Sisters made their final Profession.

 

CONSTITUTIONS AND RULES

With strong faith and childlike trust in God and with the assistance of our Blessed Mother, Fr. Clarence OFM Cap., then director of our congregation, initiated to formulate the constitution of the congregation with its character and purpose. At first he wrote his preliminary message to the Constitution in which he expressed clearly about his intentions concerning the nature, purpose, character and the spirit of the congregation.

OUR FIRST GENERAL CHAPTER

 In May 1998 the First General Chapter was held and presided over by our Founder and the Msgr.P.Antony Pappusamy the Vicar General. Rev. Sr.Viyakula Mary was elected as our first Superior General along with her council.

RAPID GROWTH

Our Congregation was started in utter poverty from the very beginning. The first building in 1980 had only a few rooms with corrugated iron roof. We thought it would serve for a year or more.” As a matter of extension a new three rooms  were built by the side of the old building. Regarding the flow of vocations he exclaimed; “I never dreamt that I would be welcoming so many candidates”. In 1995 a separate novitiate was established with additional quarters due to the increase in number and our Founder provided us with greater facilities. In 1996 he built for us a spacious chapel, dormitory and an infirmary with a choir loft accessible to the chapel. Many houses were opened in the diocese of Trichy and in other dioceses as well.

OUR BEACONS

Our leaders are the Women of Vision and Mission ready to dare and dream. They are empowered to empower and persons having passion for God and His people. About 30 years of captaincy under the able hands of our strong leaders paved way for the Society to ascend high. Commitment, self-sacrifice, constant attentiveness to the needs of the time, participatory planning, well-trained delegation, compassion in action etc. are the hallmarks of our leaders.

 

OUR DIRECTORS

First Director

Very Rev. Fr  Gnanapragasam –

 First Director of the Congregation (1978-1986)

Second Director

Msgr P. Antony Pappusamy(Present Archbishop of Madurai) 

–

Second Director of the Congregation ( 1986-1989  )

Third Director

Very Rev. Fr. Jeyaraj –

Third Director of the Congregation ( 1989 – 1990 )

Fourth Director

Msgr. Antony Pappusamy(Present Archbishop of Madurai)  –

Spiritual Director of the Congregation

 ( 1990 –  1994 )

 

CAPUCHIN DIRECTORS WHO GUIDED OUR CONGREGATION

 

REV.FR. CLARENCE OFM CAP  (Jan 1995 -1996 Jan)

REV FR. JONATHAN OFM CAP (1996 -1997)

REV FR. WENCESLAUS OFM CAP  (1997-1998)

REV FR.  S.S. SAHAYARAJ OFM CAP (1998- 2000)

REV FR .  ARUL DOSS OFM CAP ( 2000 – 2003)

 

TIRUCHY DIOCESAN  DIRECTORS WHO GUIDED OUR CONGREGATION

 

REV FR. K.  DEVARAJ (2005 – 2007)

REV FR. S.  CHINNAPPAN (2009 – 2014)

REV. FR. THOMAS PAULSAMY,(Bishop of Dindigul)( 2014 – 2015)

REV FR.  GABRIEL ( 2017 –  )

 

THE SISTERS  WHO GUIDED US FROM OTHER CONGREGATIONS

(1978-1995)

  1. SR .ROSELINE THERASA OSM
  2. SR .ETHALINE MARY OSM
  3. SR .AMALITTA OSM
  4. SR .PENILTA OSM
  5. SR .STEPHANI OSM
  6. SR .CHARLETTA MARY CIC
  7. SR .MIRIAM CIC